Obviously the horse hasn't been confirmed by testing yet, but as of this morning a horse in barn 9 is showing the neurological symptoms of the virus. More and more trainers are NOW finally opting not to take their horses to the track this morning.

My question is how management or the ag department can continue the meet without being concerned with the legal liability from what ensues.... I would not want to be responsible one or a barn of stakes horses being put down---obviously because I care about the horses and the people, but just as much because of the potential lawsuits. I know the track has attorneys...they must be thinking about it. The theory or basis for the suit could be as simple as "they could have done more and now I am out a ton of money". Right?

If one assumes the disease is being spread by the training and racing, I could see a cessation of racing and training. However, from what I read in the accounts of backside comings and goings as described by Equiforce, it seems equally or more likely the disease is being spread by horsemen and their employees being careless about the preventative rules that have been established (not to mention the apparently MIA Hawthorne security that is supposed to enforce them). Would they quit wandering around carelessly and coming and going without taking off the hazard suits etc. simply because there wasn't racing? Maybe the threat of closing down racing and earning opportunities would do the trick and get their attention. Hawthorne still makes all the simulcast dough anyhow. A closure would certainly fall harder on horsemen.

In my opinion, it borders on criminal negligence. I'm reading up on that subject now. While the horses are number one, hands down, and the stable ponies being as important as the stake horses, it's not just about the horses directly. This will have a snowball effect. For instance, who is going to pay the astronomical vet bills that are already going up and up. Who is going to pick up the training bills and lost purses for the time we must (or never recover) shut down operations ? I'm not specifically talking about our stable. We probably have the best, most supportive owners on the grounds. But, the smaller barns. This could wipe them out. They have families and mortgages. What about the guys that are owners/trainers with one or two that depend on this income. Who is going to step up and help them ? Had this been handled like the serious, deadly virus that it is....we wouldn't be talking about it right now. As far as I am concerned, they are a day late and a dollar short in anything they do at this stage.

Would it be considered spreading it through horsemen or racing when a jockey goes from horse to horse, not having time to COMPLETELY disinfect between races....would it be considered spreading it through horsemen or racing when the valets don't have time to disinfect COMPLETELY OR PROPERLY between saddling ? Likewise with the PONY PEOPLE, GATE CREW, DETENTION BARN STAFF, etc....Come on Terry, I've been told you are smarter than this....

Oh, and would it be considered horsemen or racing if it is spread because mike Reavis was able to claim a horse YESTERDAY after leading another infected horse to the "quarantine " barn the day before and us losing a horse the same day....honestly....had racing been shut down at the onset, we would not be going through this.They fed the beast.

Equiforce, I just want you to know how much my heart goes out to you in your loss of Ginger and Spice. I have been following all of your posts on here and this herpes virus is scaring the hell out of me. My horses are at Hawthorne and I am in constant communication with my trainer about what is going on there. The situation should be on the highest alert for all and the welfare of the horses the first priority. I pray that this virus ends soon...Again my condolences to you

I just got word, from my husband, who was AT the meeting with Mr. Miller, Mr. Carey, state vets and our vet and despite the efforts of my husband and our vet, Hawthorne as decided that there is no need to quarantine the individual barns or put a hold on racing. Their rational is that there have been 3 deaths from the virus but 5 deaths from breakdowns and a colic, so they expressed that it is an acceptable number...ONE ISN'T AN ACCEPTABLE NUMBER.

Would it be considered spreading it through horsemen or racing when a jockey goes from horse to horse, not having time to COMPLETELY disinfect between races....would it be considered spreading it through horsemen or racing when the valets don't have time to disinfect COMPLETELY OR PROPERLY between saddling ? Likewise with the PONY PEOPLE, GATE CREW, DETENTION BARN STAFF, etc....Come on Terry, I've been told you are smarter than this....

And so are you smarter than to lay the entire blame for everything on Hawthorne management when you've seen with your own eyes what the horsemen and their help are doing. Do you know for a fact how any specific horse contracted the disease?

I just got word, from my husband, who was AT the meeting with Mr. Miller, Mr. Carey, state vets and our vet and despite the efforts of my husband and our vet, Hawthorne as decided that there is no need to quarantine the individual barns or put a hold on racing.

Hawthorne decided this on their own? I thought the State's vet was the authority ultimately in charge of this epidemic.

Supply and demand, Don't enter and cut off the supply of horse's , as no one will or can ship in! Maybe that will get their attention. Again I have no problem with either side but something more has to be done, Horses first!

I went in to Barn Kelso 2. And Hawthorne feels that they are doing what they need to do. This was not a general public meeting. This was a meeting for the higher ups. My husband was only there because he had a fatality a couple of days ago and 3 horses that have come back wth positive tests since.

There is not much good news coming out of Hawthorne these days. As a fan of the sport though, the good news is there are so many trainers and owners who are so devoted and caring of their horses and who put the horses' welfare first. In whatever capacity, we are all a family so we share in the sadness of the loss of these horses. Equiforce, I am so sorry to learn of your loss of Ginger and Spice at only two years old and that you have more who have tested positive. Am hoping for the best outcome for your horses in that they all stay healthy. Brivolta, sending prayers to you and your girl. We've followed her now for months and we share in the anguish you all are feeling right now. Stay strong, all, the horses need you more than ever right now.

There is not much good news coming out of Hawthorne these days. As a fan of the sport though, the good news is there are so many trainers and owners who are so devoted and caring of their horses and who put the horses' welfare first. In whatever capacity, we are all a family so we share in the sadness of the loss of these horses. Equiforce, I am so sorry to learn of your loss of Ginger and Spice at only two years old and that you have more who have tested positive. Am hoping for the best outcome for your horses in that they all stay healthy. Brivolta, sending prayers to you and your girl. We've followed her now for months and we share in the anguish you all are feeling right now. Stay strong, all, the horses need you more than ever right now.